How to Achieve an Aesthetic Student Theme in Notion

Note: This article assumes basic familiarity with Notion and its features.

Notion, the all-in-one productivity tool, allows users to create custom templates and personalized workspaces. One popular use case for Notion is organizing student life—from class notes and assignments to study schedules and project management. Adding an aesthetic touch to your Notion workspace can make it visually pleasing and motivating. In this article, we will explore several ways to achieve an aesthetic student theme in Notion using current features and best practices.

1. Choosing the Right Workspace

Creating a separate workspace exclusively for your student-related tasks can help maintain focus and organization. To create a new workspace in Notion, click on the workspace dropdown menu (located at the top left corner of your screen) and select Create a Workspace. Give it a name, like Student Life, and choose a relevant icon from the available options. With Notion’s recent updates, you can also customize your workspace with a cover image to instantly set the mood.

2. Customizing the Sidebar

The sidebar is an essential component of your Notion workspace, providing quick access to your pages and databases. To achieve an aesthetic student theme, customize the sidebar by:

• Using relevant icons for each section (e.g., a book icon for "Class Notes" or a graduation cap for "Goals").
• Organizing pages into a visually structured order.
• Renaming pages for clarity and style.

These small visual tweaks make your workspace more intuitive and visually appealing.

3. Organizing with Pages and Databases

Notion allows you to create pages and databases to organize your student materials. To create a new page, click the + button in the sidebar and give the page a title like Class Notes, Assignments, or Study Schedule. Use various templates offered in Notion—such as Meeting Notes, To-Do List, or even the newly improved Task Manager template—to structure your pages effectively.

Databases are powerful tools that enable you to store, sort, and visualize information. To set up a new database, click the + button in the sidebar and select Database. Choose a view that suits your needs (e.g., Table, Board, or Calendar). Customize database properties by adding columns like [Due Date](https://www.notionry.com/faq/how-to-create-a-due-date-template-in-notion-for-tracking-and-managing-deadlines-9c525) or Status to efficiently track assignments or projects.

4. Applying Aesthetic Templates

Notion offers a wide range of templates designed by both their community and the official team. These templates can be imported into your workspace to instantly bring an aesthetic flair. To access templates, click the + button in the sidebar and select Template Gallery. Browse through available options and select templates that align with your student theme. Popular templates now include the updated Weekly Planner, Study Tracker, and Class Schedule. Import these into your workspace and further customize them (e.g., with cover images or custom icons) to match your desired aesthetic.

5. Customizing Blocks and Headers

Notion blocks allow you to add varied content types such as text, images, lists, and multimedia. Enhance the aesthetic appeal of your pages by experimenting with different font sizes, colors, and header styles. Use headers to divide pages into sections, making navigation straightforward and visually engaging. For example, use headings to identify sections like Lecture Summaries, Assignment Tracker, or Exam Revision.

6. Utilizing Icons and Emojis

Icons and emojis add a personal and lively touch to your Notion workspace. Notion provides a built-in library of icons that you can easily insert into your pages or database entries. Use icons to represent subjects, modules, or categories, and incorporate emojis into titles or headers to emphasize content and add personality. This simple customization not only enhances visual appeal but also aids in quick navigation.

7. Adding Visuals and Media

Integrating visuals and media elements can transform a plain workspace into an engaging environment. Enhance your pages by adding:

• Images: Upload relevant pictures or set cover images that align with your theme.
• Videos: Embed lecture clips or tutorials from platforms like YouTube.
• Documents: Insert PDFs such as class syllabi or presentation slides.

These enhancements not only make your workspace aesthetically pleasing but also support diverse learning styles.

8. Using Kanban Boards for Task Management

Kanban boards remain an excellent tool for visualizing tasks and managing projects. Create a Kanban board in Notion by adding a Board database and customizing its properties. Set up columns to represent task stages, such as To-Do, In Progress, and Completed. With recent enhancements, Notion now supports drag-and-drop functionality and better label customization, making it easier to keep visually-consistent, color-coded boards that are both practical and pleasing to the eye.

9. Keeping a Minimalist Design

While adding aesthetic elements, it is important to maintain a minimalist design to avoid clutter. Overloading your workspace with decorations or unnecessary elements can diminish usability and distract from the main focus. Keep a clean, organized layout where aesthetic touches enhance functionality without overwhelming the content. Use whitespace strategically, and focus on simple yet effective design elements.

In conclusion, achieving an aesthetic student theme in Notion involves thoughtful organization, personalization, and creative use of visual elements. By following the tips and techniques outlined in this article, you can create a visually pleasing and motivating workspace tailored to your academic pursuits. Remember, the key is balancing aesthetics with functionality to ensure your workspace is both attractive and practical.